SOURCES AND ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF FINE AEROSOL PARTICULATE MATTER IN LANCASTER COUNTY & IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Air quality is a critical concern globally and locally, with severe implications for human health and quality of life. Lancaster County, PA, ranked as having the 8th poorest air quality index (AQI) in the United States, faces significant challenges due to elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). These pollutants, often assumed to originate from coal-fired power plants, unregulated waste incineration, and vehicular emissions, are linked to respiratory health crises, including high asthma prevalence (13% of the population) and increased risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This study undertook a comprehensive assessment of particulate pollution sources in Lancaster County. Fine particles were captured on 3µm filters using a continuous air sampler pumping at a flow rate of 9x10-4 m3s-1. Their chemical composition was analyzed with a Hitachi SU 3900 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) fitted with an Energy Dispersive Spectrometer. Spot analyses on individual particles identified high concentrations of Si, K, Na, Mg, Al, S, Fe, and C, alongside trace elements like Zn, Mo, Br, and Ba. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified element clusters indicative of specific pollution sources: Si, Al, and K suggest silicate minerals typical of dust; Mg, Ca, and S align with gypsum from incinerated construction debris; and Fe, Mn, Co, and Zn remain under investigation. Further, visual observations identified over 662 unregulated burning locations throughout Lancaster County, classified by satellite imagery into three categories: burn pits, burn tanks, and burn barrels. Spatial distributions of these categories were documented using ArcGIS, offering new insights into their prevalence and potential contributions to poor air quality. This multi-faceted approach underscores the urgency of mitigating air quality degradation in Lancaster County, emphasizing the critical need for targeted public health interventions and regulatory enforcement.